Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8572, John Gibson, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Gibson, John
S 8572
Carded.
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.

Virginia 16.606
John Gibson
of Louisa Co in the State of Virginia who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Dabney of the Regt commanded by Col. Meredith in the Va. Mnt line for 1 yr 5 mo.
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 56 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of Sept 1832 and sent to J. M. Cutchen - Present
Arrears to the 4th of Sept - 1832 $141.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept 4 - 28.33
$170.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk Book E Vol. 6 Page 9

State of Virginia Louisa county } ss
On this 12 th day of April 1833 personally appeared in open court before the circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery for the county aforesaid, now sitting, John Gibson a resident of the said county (and State) aged eighty three years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June, 7. 1832) —
That at the commencement of the Revolutionary War, he became a member of the Volunteer company of Minute men, raised in the county of Louisa, of which James Walney was Captain, John or Cosby Crutchfield was Lieut. and Robert Barret Ennery — was trained in the company in the county for some time, camping out and furnishing their own provisions. (and early in the next spring marched into service — marched first to Aquia Creek — thence to Hampton (and thence after some time was transferred to Portsmouth) — (and served nine months as Sergeant of his company — Col o Meredith commanded the Regiment and there was no other force — saw some regulars at Hampton, but did not become acquainted with them because they were infected with the small pox. while at Portsmouth was sent with twelve men into the Deep Swamp to bring in some suspected persons — was in no battle. — That he cannot

recollect dates exactly, but thinks his next service was the Campaign of Gates defeat when he was drafted in the militia of the same county and was a private in the company of Capt Byars - Marched to the western South in the summer season and joined the army at Hillsborough - Col Goodall commanded the Regiment and Genl Stevens the Brigade. Staid at that place till peaches began to ripen, and then marched to the neighborhood of Camden - was in the battle and was one of the party chosen to bring on the action - the battle began before daylight - marched within twenty steps of the enemy. was fired on - returned the fire and after firing twice was ordered to retreat and oblique to the right - Marched a few steps and found Col Doster field down and his horse dead over him - assisted in getting him out and putting him on a horse and then in bearing him off the field - carried him a few hundred yards, and then he cut off the boot from his broken leg - Marched towards Hillsborough and joined the army again at New Garden, and continued at that place till discharged - (aid this town was for six months - there was a body of regular troops with the army and many militia, but he recollects no further particulars - That in the summer preceding the siege of York he was again drafted from the same county and was a private in the company of militia under Capt Blalock, Marched by Wadsworth's in Hanover into the lower country, to the neighborhood of Jamestown, and after marching about some time in that region was discharged, having served two months - Col Nelson commanded the Regiment and he does not recollect any

other officers or troops, nor does he think there was more than the one regiment - was in no battle but saw some of the enemies horse near Jamestown and recollects no other particu- -lars. - That he had several discharges but has lost them, and has no documentary evidence - That he can prove his John Ward started part of his services, by Dick Richardson and Davis Shepperson and William Tate, and that he refers to Joseph C Boxley and William Jackson for his character and the reputation of his services, and that he cannot produce a clergyman to make the requisite Certificate.
To the first question he answers - in the Lower end of Louisiana County on the 1st May 1749.
To the second - That he has a copy from a family Register.
To the Third. I have always lived in the same county.
To the Fourth. I volunteered the first tour & was drafted the other two.
To the Fifth. Refer to the body of the declaration.
To the Sixth. I was discharged by each of my Cap- -tains in writing, but have lost them
To the seventh. Joseph C. Boxley & William Jack- -son
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state or territo- -ry.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in
his John Gibson
We Joseph C Boxley a citizen residing in the county of Louisiana, and William Jackson residing in the same, hereby certify

That we are well acquainted with John Gibson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty three years of age, that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Joseph C. Boxley W m Jackson
And the said court doth hereby declare its opinion, after the investigation of the matter, after afterputing the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court also certifies that it appears to it that the said applicant could not produce a clergyman to make the requisite certificate; and that Joseph C Boxley and William Jackson who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in the said county and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
State of Virginia
Louisa County to wit:
Richard H. Field 11
I John Hunter Clerk of the Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery for the County of Louisa (aforesaid) do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John Gibson for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, this 12 th day of April 1833 In the 57 th year of our foundation.
John Hunter. C.L.G.962.0

26. 350
John Gibson Virginia
Adm private 1 year 85 months
$ 40.00.1yr 16.66 $ 56.66
113.33 28.33 141.66
John McCutchen Washington City

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of John Gibson
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     9 Serf Cap. Dabney Col. Meredith 83 years Lincoln County Va   6 priv Cap. Byars. Col. Goodall   21 pm Cap. Pollock Col. Nelson  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of } On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit to the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Rev War
8573 INVALID.
File No. 8572
John Gilson
Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 102 , Page 141
[Arrangement of 1870.]

va
John Gibson
Yestermory
John M. Leutner
Washington City

State of Virginia } Louisa County } ff
Be it known that on this 12 th day of April 1833 before the subscriber a Justice of the peace for the said county personally appeared William Tate a resident of said county and as appears to me a credible person and being first duly sworn (deposeth), that he knew John Gibson of Louisa in the time of the Revolution that he was considered a good soldier, and was said to have served often in the militia during that war, and he served a two months tour with said Gibson in 1781 from Dandridge towards James Town and other places in that country and that he and said Gibson were discharged at the Mobbing Hills —
William Tate
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
before me — Oliver Greff
State of Virginia } Louisa County } ff
This day personally appeared before me Charles Dalbey a Justice of the peace in (and for said county) David Shepperson of the county of Rockbridge and state aforesaid, and as appears to me a credible person, and made oath in due form of law; that he was with John Gibson of Louisa county (and said state) who is suing for a pension at the battle of Custer. They were both in the militia service under Capt John Byars and Lieut Thomas Shelton, and that said Gibson served six months in this tour. Given under my hand this 8 th day of October 1832.
Charles Dalbey

And I Charles Dabney Justice as aforesaid, hereby certify, that the foregoing affidavit was made before me on the day it bears date, to be used as it purports; that owing to an error in the papers (as it seems) it could not be so used, and that the above is a true copy from the original. — Given under my hand this 15 day of April 1833 —
Charles Dabney
State of Virginia
Louisa County to wit
Be it known, that on this 11 th day of May 1833 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the said county, personally appeared John Ward a resident of the said county, & State (and as appears to me a credible person, and being duly sworn on his oath saith — That in the beginning of the Revolutionary War, a company of minute men was raised in Louisa by Capt James Dabney, and that John Gibson of the said county was a member of that company — that when the company marched he went to see them start, that they met at the lower end of the county (and he saw said Gibson in the ranks) and saw him march. That the company (he thinks) served eight or nine months, and he verily believes said Gibson served the whole time (and returned with the company) (and that he has long known said Gibson and always considered him an excellent soldier. — Given under my hand the day & year aforesaid.
Charles Dabney Justice
State of Virginia
Louisa County to wit
I John Hunter Clark of the Court of the County of Louisa aforesaid do hereby certify that Oliver Crops and Charles Dabney before whom the foregoing affidavits were made , now are and were at the time of taking the same acting Justices of the peace, in and for the County aforesaid duly Commissioned — and authorised to administer oaths and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be theirs are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set

my hand and affixed my seal of Office this 14 th day of May One thousand Eight hundred and thirty three.
John Hunter